LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project will offer visas on arrival for overseas visitors following the creation of a company to deliver the ambitious project.
The project marked a milestone on Sunday with its incorporation as a standalone closed joint-stock company, The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), wholly owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The company, which in October announced Virgin Group founder Richard Branson as one of its board members, on Sunday said it had recruited John Pagano, the former managing director of development for the UK’s Canary Wharf Group as its chief executive.
The newly-incorporated company will now move forward with the creation of its Special Economic Zone, with its own regulatory framework, it said in a statement.
The framework will be separate from the base economy, with a special emphasis on environmental sustainability, and will offering visa on entry, relaxed social norms, and improved business regulations.
“The destination will provide a unique sense of place for visitors and offer nature lovers, adventurers, cultural explorers and guests looking to escape and rejuvenate, a wide range of exclusive experiences, combining luxury, tranquillity, adventure and beautiful landscapes,” said Pagano.
The first phase of The Red Sea Project — which will occupy an area greater than the size of Belgium between the cities of Al-Wajh and Umluj — will include hotels and residential units, along with a new costal town, an airport and a marina, and is due for completion by late 2022, the company said.
Authorities hope the project will create as many as 35,000 jobs and contribute SR15 billion ($3.99 billion) to the local economy.
The project, unveiled last July by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is one of the key developments in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to develop its tourism sector, alongside Qiddiya, an entertainment resort near Riyadh that will be two-and-a-half times the size of Disney World.
The country’s Vision 2030 economic development plan is targeting the creation of 1.2 million new jobs in the Saudi tourism sector by 2030.
Saudi Red Sea project to offer visa on arrival for tourists
Saudi Red Sea project to offer visa on arrival for tourists
- Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Project has been registered as a standalone company
- The venture will be will be headed by John Pagano, former director of London’s Canary Wharf business zone
Malaysian minister commends Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan programs
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs implements Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program for distributing dates in 120 countries, iftar meals in 70 countries
RIYADH: Malaysian Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan has commended Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan programs, saying that the implementation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ iftar and date distribution programs in Kuala Lumpur embodies the deep ties and humanitarian solidarity between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, the minister praised the Kingdom’s historical commitment to caring for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and attending to the affairs of Muslim nations, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He described the initiative as a generous gesture that reflected the values of cooperation, concluding with prayers for the continued security and stability of the Kingdom and its leadership.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, launched the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ dates distribution program during a ceremony at the Saudi Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, SPA reported.
The total quantity allocated for distribution is five tonnes of premium Saudi dates, benefiting about 15,000 people in various Romanian cities and regions, as part of the ministry’s Ramadan programs implemented outside the Kingdom during the holy month.
A number of attendees and beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom, its leadership and people for the donation.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs also launched the iftar program for fasting Muslims in Korea at the Seoul Central Mosque, in the presence of the charge d’affaires at the Kingdom’s embassy in Korea, Fahd Al-Barakah.
Three tonnes of dates will be distributed, benefiting 12,000 people, while about 10,000 will benefit from the iftar program.
This initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to promote the values of solidarity and compassion among Muslims worldwide during Ramadan.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs implements the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ program for distributing dates in 120 countries and the program for providing iftar meals in 70 countries.
